The Club at SJC A15

The Club at SJC – San Jose, CA (SJC) | © Airport Lounge Development

While Mineta San Jose International airport, the gateway to the Silicon Valley, boasts an extensive domestic flight schedule and even a fair amount of international service, no airline has invested in lounge facilities at this time.

And thus, the airport’s two lounges come courtesy of Airport Dimensions, a subsidiary of airport services provider Collinson that operates a network of pay-per-use lounges in the US. There are about 20 “The Club” locations throughout the US, of which two are at SJC, near gates A8 and A15.

In addition to pay-in users, The Club welcomes Priority Pass members, as well as premium and elite passengers of select airlines including ANA.

The Club at SJC A15 is located  at the junction between Terminals A and B, on the mezzanine level. The central location makes it accessible to all passengers, but is definitely far from the gates located at either end of the terminals.

The Club at SJC A15 SJC design

While the design hardly catches the eye, it’s a model of convenience and efficiency. The surprisingly large space – the lounge can seat just over 120 customers but stretches over a spacious 7,400 square feet – features a simple but modern décor with Earth and desert tones, clean lines, and accents such as hardwood floors and stone counters in the buffet and bar area.

The Club at SJC – San Jose, CA (SJC) | © Airport Lounge Development

The first room, located behind the oversized reception area, is furnished like an office and features two rows of shared work desks with built-in lamps and power outlets, as well as a small seating area where every seat has a side table and power outlet. The room is often abuzz with Silicon Valley engineers typing away on their laptops and engaging in conference calls. The Club at SJC has definitely hit the mark as a business friendly environment – the space is comfortable, ergonomic and well lit, and sometimes has a bit of a start-up vibe. We just wish there was a cell-phone free area – some patrons tend to forget that they’re not actually at the office.

The adjacent room caters more to relaxation, with an open seating arrangement featuring comfortable seats and a handful of couches, TV screens, as well as a bar and buffet area. The layout is very spacious, and the lounge never feels excessively busy.

Windows run along the entire length of the club, flooding both rooms with Californian sunshine. The workspace area boasts views of the tarmac, while the relaxation zone features views on the city of San Jose. Power outlets are located at every seat, a must in the Silicon Valley.

The Club at SJC A15 SJC amenities

The Club at SJC – San Jose, CA (SJC) | © Airport Lounge Development

The Club at SJC boasts a solid range of amenities for business and leisure travelers alike.

The well-stocked bar offers a selection of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. All options are complimentary, and range from a basic set of beers and wines to cocktails crafted to order. There is also a fancy digital espresso machine.

The food selection is far less impressive. Most options consist of basic snacks such as popcorn, cookies, crackers, and veggies and dip. There is also typically a pasta salad in a tiny dish, with tiny plates to match: take the hint and don’t help yourself to too much – besides, it’s oily and unremarkable. Fortunately ANA passengers benefit from a slightly expanded food selection with hot breakfast and other more substantial offerings around ANA flight times.

The Club at SJC – San Jose, CA (SJC) | © Airport Lounge Development

The Club at SJC offers a shower room. Ask for the key and a towel at the reception desk.

An elegant board room is also available and may be reserved ahead of time. The elegant room is furnished with a table for six, along with couches and seats around a coffee table. There are also two shared computers and a printer next to the buffet area.

Other amenities include a small baggage storage area (in the first room behind the first desk) as well as a selection of newspapers and magazines, including Japanese press.

The staff is courteous and accommodating, and demonstrates pride in offering proactive and timely service.

The Club at SJC A15 SJC bottom line

The Club at SJC is the only lounge at San Jose, CA airport. Fortunately, it’s a nice lounge, with plenty of daylight, a comfortable amount of space to stretch out, well designed business amenities, a fully stocked complimentary bar, a shower, and genuinely friendly service. It’s a popular hang-out for business travelers. Just don’t come in hungry – the food selection is virtually non-existent except prior to ANA flight departures. Also, be sure to leave early as it’s a hike to the furthest gates.